Seven Onsite Posed Event Photo and Backdrop Ideas

Seven Onsite Event Photo and Backdrop Ideas

A key event photography requirement is offering onsite posed photos of  guests in front of a special background, then preparing and providing guests either digital or printed photos. Onsite posed photos and printing is becoming an increasingly popular event photography request in the San Diego area and elsewhere. In this article I’ll talk about seven onsite event photo and backdrop ideas and show samples of each from real events that we’ve shot. In a later article I’ll touch on the printing of those posed photos, both onsite so that guests can take the photos home, or for later delivery to event organizers.

 

Benefits of On-Site Posed Photography

Many companies and organizations that hold annual celebrations, gala events, and other special events request posed photos of couples, groups, individuals, VIPs, and company icons. Posed event photos using backdrops isn’t limited to just these types of events though, as we also provide these at weddings, receptions, parties, and graduation ceremonies. Posed event photos, created using professional studio photography backdrops and lighting setups, provides a first-class way to have a personal and lasting keepsake of an event.

 

Photography Backdrops

A very important element to provide a client, who wishes to offer their guests a uniform and printed memento of an event, is the appropriate backdrop, sometimes also referred to as background. Selection of the correct backdrop is also a important factor. Backdrops can be a solid in color, hand painted, step and repeat, custom made from various fabrics or other materials, or even a scenic mural. Below we’ll take a look at some ideas for different backdrops and I’ll show you actual event photography backgrounds and the results available with them.

Posed Photography Lighting

Lighting is another element that can be very important to posed event backdrop photography. Studio-type lighting is important because it helps ensure proper lighting of the subjects being photographed, and it can be used to best accent and not detract from the background. Correct lighting also results in evenly lit subjects and fewer shadows.

Studio lighting, such as strobes, and umbrellas or light boxes, does more than just provide even lighting. It also helps guests feel confident that professional photos are being taken. The benefit of this is two-fold. First, the professionalism of studio lighting befits guests who often are wearing formal attire such as evening dresses and black tie suits. And second, by making the guest feel special, superior photography results come about as often a person will present themselves even better because the photographer is providing a professional atmosphere for their posed photo.

Quality and Quantity of Backdrops Are Important

One more thing that’s very important when using photography backgrounds is to use backdrops of professional quality and in sufficient quantity for the size of the event. When shooting large events, we always setup at least two photography stations to make sure the volume of guests are handled in a timely fashion. This requires the use of two photographers.

Using two photographers, each with an assistant, we minimize guest wait time while also being able to properly log the photo numbers to the right person. This translates into providing good quality service in a number of ways. First, the guests wait a minimal amount of time for their turn to be posed and photographed. Second, the pose itself is aided with this efficiency because the photographer can direct more attention to the guest. Third, the guest will be less anxious about having to wait and thereby will generally pose themselves more naturally. A natural pose is one of the hallmarks of a great photograph.

Recording and correlating image numbers to client is also very helpful when processing the prints after the shoot, because it ensures the right guest receives the right photo. Sometimes digital images or prints are provided at the event or supplied to them at a later time. In either case, the guest needs to receive the proper image. In a later article, I’ll talk more about printing event photos onsite or providing them after the event. Suffice it to say, when the appropriate number of backdrops and photographers are used workflow is efficient, and this makes for professional photography results.

Backgrounds For Any Theme

Posed event photo photography can be designed around an event’s theme. Choice of background can also help define an event’s theme. The use of colors and background style are all very flexible and can be modified to fit the theme of any event.

Branding is another important element of onsite posed event photos. It helps mark an event’s theme directly in the photo for an unforgettable visual impact. Event photo branding can take several forms, including:

  1. Placing company logos directly onto the final photos;
  2. Event or company branding through a step and repeat backdrop;
  3. Props or signage that reflect the company’s name, products or heritage; or
  4. Costumed characters that pose with the subjects in the photo.

Additional items (such as pedestals with flowers, décor, or even dress-up props for guests) can also be used with a backdrop to help build upon an event’s theme. In the following section we’ll see examples of all of these.

Real Examples of Seven Onsite Posed Event Photo and Backdrop Ideas

Let’s take a look at some examples of posed event photography backdrops that we’ve used for our clients.

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